'All neccessary info in part 1.'

Hey! Sorry to take so long to post... Tests, tests, and more tests... Thanks to Ginger Ninja for posting this.

" Qui-Gon should not be allowed to do the investigation, " Mace Windu loudly protested. " He's too emotionally involved. "

" The will of the Force it is, " Yoda countered. " Not happy about it I am, but done it must be."

" The last time Qui-Gon went after Balog, he nearly killed the man in vengance, " Adi Gallia pointed out.

" That's my point, " Mace said, sitting back in his chair. " He's too emotionally unstable to handle this. "

" No! " Yoda said, slamming his gimer sick on the floor of the council chambers. " Hear you nothing that I say! The will of the Force it is! Unstable, Qui-Gon may be, but an apprentice to help him he has. "

" His apprentice is just as bad, " Adi said. " As the days go on, Qui-Gon's attitude toward him kills him a little more. "

" Strong, Obi-Wan Kenobi is, " Yoda stated. " Protect and help his Master he will, no matter what. Call Qui-Gon before us, but not the boy. " The small troll hopped off his chair and began to walk out of the room. " Certain I am about Qui-Gon's taking of this mission. Talk to

Obi-Wan, I will. "

The Master was quickly pulled out of his depression at the sound of his comlink. " Jinn here. "

" Your presence is requested by the council, " a droid said in a flat tone. " Please come immediately without your apprentice. "

Qui-Gon sighed and stood up, stretching stiff muscles. He reluctantly left the room and headed toward the lifts.

A few minutes later, Qui-Gon found himself bowing down before all of the council members except Yoda. " We have a mission for you, " Mace started. " That is, if you think you're ready."

" I am ready, " he replied. ' Anything to get my mind on something else for awhile. '

" Very well, " nodded the dark skinned Master. " There have been recent terrorist activities on the oter isde of Coruscant. The Senate has asked us to intervine. "

" We have reason to think it's Balog, " Adi said.

Qui-Gon didn't show any signs, but the rage began to build within him again. He settled himself down for the briefing.

Yoda and Bant muet near the door of Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon's quarters. " Master Yoda, " the girl greeted. bowing.

" Need to speak with Obi-Wan, I do. Talk to him later you will. "

" With respect, Master, I need to speak tohim now too. I'm afraid I need to apologize for my behavior toward him these past months. I need my best friend back. "

Yoda slowly nodded with half closed eyelids. " Very well then. Come. " Without knocking, the Master padded open the entrance and the two entered. " Wait here, I will until you are finished. "

" Thank you, " Bant said and made her way to the boy's room. "Obi-Wan? "

At the sound of his friend's voice, Obi-Wan shot up, wiping his face in a vain attempt to hide his crying.

The Calamarian slowly crossed te room ad sat on the bed next to the Padawan. " Obi-Wan. . . . I'm sorry. I was so mean to you about what happened and didn't give you a fair chance to even explain. "

" Really? " Bant had to smile. The way Obi-Wan's sad, squeaky voice sounded made her think they were young initiates again.

" Yes really. Do you forgive me? "

" Yes, " the boy said, grinning. The two hugged briefly. " So are we friends? "

" Only the best, " Bant replied. " Now come on. I think Yoda might be getting a little restless out there. "

" Be careful, " Obi-Wan said. " He might come after us with his gimmer stick. "

" Head that I did! " came a voice from the other room, causing the two to chuckle as they entered the main room. " My turn with young Kenobi, it is. "

" Yes Master Yoda, " the girl said. Bowing, she left the room leaving the other two alone.

" Sit you will. How feel you? "

" Well. . . . a lot better than I did fifteen minutes ago, " Obi-Wan said, obaying Yoda's order.

" Strong for your Master, you have been. Proud he would be. " Suddenly the boy had an avid interest in his hands. " Need you now, he will. A mission you have. Capture Balog you both will. "

The Padawan looked up quickly at the mention of Tahl's killer. A determination was welling up inside him. Maybe recieving justice would help bring his Master out of the stupor that was the man's life. " I can do it, " he said fiercely.

" Knew you would, I did. Back soon, your Master will be to give you details. " The green being got up and headed toward the door, his gimmer stick tapping with him.

" Master Yoda? Do you think Qui-Gon will be alright? "

Without turning the wise old Jedi replied, " Eventually, he will be. Much darkness I sense ahead. "

Curling up on the couch, Obi-Wan lost himself in thoughts. ' What did Yoda mean? Much darkness ahead? ' The boy was worried. How would his Master take searching for Balog? Qui-Gon was already withdrawn; would this make it worse?

Altough he was concerned, the Padawan couldn't help but be happy at the current turn of events. Obi-Wan had his best friend back! A small smile graced his face at the one thing going right in his life.

The door opened and the boy looked up to see Qui-Gon enter their home. Obi-Wan stood up and bowed, " Master. "

" Pack your things. We leave immediately. I'll tell you the details when we arrive. "

" Yes Master. " The boy didn't bother to say he knew what the mission was already. Walking to his room, he reasoned that if Yoda decided to come and talk to him about the mission, then Qui-Gon was most likely not supposed to know. Within minutes, Master and Padawan were outside the temple gates, signaling an air taxi.

TBC

I'm sorry for not making this longer but I ran outta time again. I'll try to make the next post longer. Bye!